Belgian Island of Houx on Sale for €95,000 With a Catch
A small private island in Belgium’s Meuse River has been listed for sale at just 95,000 euros, sparking a wave of interest from would-be island owners. But the Île de Houx, a nearly five-hectare wooded island near Yvoir in the province of Namur, comes with a catch: its status as a protected Natura 2000 zone means no construction, no habitation, and no commercial activity is permitted.
A Surprising Phone Call
The listing caught even the real estate agent off guard. Véronique Meyfroidt, director of VM Immobilier in Annevoie, told L’Avenir that she initially thought the call was a prank. “Someone called me and said: ‘Hello, I have an island to sell…’ I replied: ‘Yes, yes, right.’ I didn’t believe it,” she recalled.
The property, owned by the same private individual since 1996, covers approximately 4 hectares 86 ares (about 12 acres) and is situated between a dam and a lock on the Meuse. The ruins of the medieval Poilvache castle overlook the island from the nearby hillside.
Severe Restrictions
Despite the bargain price — cheaper than many studio apartments in Belgian cities — the island’s legal protections make it all but unusable for conventional purposes. As La Libre Belgique reported, “The property is rare and unusual, but far from offering carte blanche to its future owner.”
The key restrictions include:
- Natura 2000 protection: The island is classified under the European Union’s network of protected natural areas, meaning any human activity is strictly regulated to preserve biodiversity.
- No construction or habitation: Building permits cannot be obtained for permanent structures. Only lightweight, removable installations might be permitted, subject to authorization from the Yvoir urbanism department.
- No utilities: The island has no electricity, gas, water, or sewage connections.
- Flood risk: It is classified as an effective flood zone.
- Partial ownership: Only the interior of the island is for sale. The riverbanks remain property of the Walloon Public Service (SPW).
According to RTL Info, the cadastral income of the property is just 65 euros per year, reflecting its extremely limited development potential.
Unexpected Demand
Despite — or perhaps because of — these constraints, the listing has generated remarkable interest. 7sur7 reported that over 20 potential buyers contacted the agency within the first day of the listing.
A Slice of History
The Île de Houx also holds historical significance. During the Battle of France in May 1940, German forces of the 5th Panzer Division crossed the Meuse using the island’s lock and dam on May 12–13, infiltrating French defenses and advancing into the country. French forces had chosen not to destroy the dam to avoid lowering the river’s water level, which would have reduced its defensive value.
Who Would Buy It?
The question of who might purchase the island — and what they could actually do with it — remains open. Possible candidates include nature lovers seeking a private retreat for day visits, conservationists interested in preserving biodiversity, or collectors of unusual properties. The island is not suitable for anyone wanting to build a home, develop tourism, or generate commercial income.
What’s Next
The seller is accepting offers starting from 95,000 euros. Given the intense media attention and the rarity of private islands on the Belgian market — private islands are extremely uncommon in the country — it remains to be seen whether the asking price will be met or exceeded. Any potential buyer will need to navigate the administrative complexity of owning a protected natural site, working closely with the commune of Yvoir and the SPW to determine what, if any, uses are permissible.
For now, the Île de Houx remains what it has always been: a quiet, wooded island in the Meuse, covered in poplar trees and surrounded by water — a rare piece of Belgian wilderness that, for the right buyer, might just be worth the price of admission.